A fire disrupted the fireworks show at Ridgecrest Freedom Fest on Saturday night. The flames broke out in an alfalfa field between the fairgrounds and the animal shelter. Authorities received the first report at 9:16 p.m. on June 28.

Emergency Response

Immediately after the alert, police and firefighters rushed to the scene. They quickly blocked off the area to keep spectators safe. Eventually, the fire burned in separate patches and later came under control.

Social Media Reactions

Soon after, shocking videos and photos began circulating on Facebook. One user claimed, “To not have first responders at an event like this is mind blowing.” The post mentioned that the fire began small and took nearly 30 minutes to grow large.

Additionally, another user shared images and wrote, “Fireworks show in Ridgecrest ended early due to real fire.” Similarly, someone else posted, “Another day in Ridgecrest. It was nice until the fire broke out.”

Festival’s Original Plans

Before the incident, organizers had planned a large celebration. According to Zeffy.com, the event aimed to celebrate “freedom and unity.” The schedule included fireworks, fire spinners, food stalls, and more. Gates opened at 6:30 p.m., and the fireworks were set to start at dusk. Moreover, entry was free for children aged five and under.

City Promotion

Earlier that week, the City of Ridgecrest posted about the event on Facebook. The post said, “Freedom Fest returns this Saturday, June 28th with live music, food, fun, and an incredible fireworks show!”

Although the event started with excitement, it ended unexpectedly due to the fire. Fortunately, emergency teams controlled the flames, and no injuries were reported.